Gear shifting mechanism for motor vehicles



Jan 16, 1940- v. F. smo-NICK .2,187,455

GEAR SHIFTING IECHANISI FOR KOTOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 @5 f ff l j@ f Y In. A55 v :www

Jan. 16, 1940. v; F. slMQNlcK i 2,187,465

GEAR SHIPTING IECHANISI FO'R MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 16, 1940. v. F. slMoNlcK uuAR SHIFTING IECHANISH FOR MQTOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 9, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Virgil F. Simonick, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Automatic Shifters, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application September 9, 1936, Serial No. 100,020

13 Chims.

'nils invention relates to gear shifting mechanisms for motor vehicles and more particularly to a shifting mechanism for so-called five-speed tions.

Trucks and buses, and some r cars, are provided with transmissions having four forward speeds together with reverse, and it is the common practice to effect the shift in any selected gear by the operation of a manual scar shift lever. Anumber of devices have been proposed for power shifting the transmissions of motor vehicles. but most of these devices are intended for use in sluiting a conventional tr n: u e on which includes only three forward speeds. This is due to the complications ordinarily introduced into a power shifting mechanism in order to provide for a shift into a fifth position, as is involved in five-speed transmissions.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a power shifting mechanism where-- in the shift into a fifth gear position is accomplished through the use of a simple and emcient mechanism.

A further object is to provide a novel crossover" mechanism for transferring the shifting operation between more than two on shift rods. y

A further object is to provide a unitary crossover motor for a transmission shifting mechanism, and which is operative for permitting the selection of more than two traon shift rods, thus adapting the mechanism for use in `connection with live-speed ons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention, In this showing- Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle gear set, showing the shifting mechanism ted therewith, parts being shown in section,

Figure 2 ls a central vertical longitudinal sectional view through the main valve mechanism.

Figure 3`is a horizontal sectional viewonline of Figure 2.

a tramverse vertical sectional view on 4 -0 of Plsure 2.

6- `adetailsectionalviewthrorugha operated valve showing its connection Figureis atransverse viewonline 'I isaplan view ofaselector valve mech- (CL 'i4-334) Figure 8 is a sectional view on line l-I of Flgurei) is a transverse sectional view on line 9-9 of Figure 7,

Figure l0 is a section taken`on line III-Iil of Figure 8, and,

Figure ll'is a detail sectional view on line II-II of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures l and 2, the numeral Il designates a transmission as a whole of the fivespeed type; That is, the transmission provides for reversing the movement of the vehicle and for driving it forwardly in either of four gear ratios.

'I'he shifting into any one of the selected gear positions is accomplished by transmitting longitudinal movement to either of a plurality of shift rods II, I2 or I3, these shift rods controlling the changes in the gear ratio in the usual manner. Transmissions of this type are not standardized with respect to the movement of the different shift rods, and for the purpose of the present invention it may be considered that the shift rod II movesl forwardly for second speed and rearwardly for third speed; that the shift rod I2 moves forwardly for reverse and rearwardly for first speed,-and that the shift rod il moves rearwardiy for the 'fourth forward speed.

'Ihe shift rods II, I2 and Il are respectively provided with notches Il, I5 and I8, selectively engageable by a depending arm I1 carried by a rock shaft Il. 'Ihe shaft I8, as will become apparent, partakes of axial sliding movement to place the arm I'I selectively in the notches I4, II or I6, and the shaft Il is adapted to be rocked in one direction or the other to transmit forward or rearward movement to the shift rod which has been selected for operatiom A crank arm I! has one end splined as at 2l on the shaft Il, while the other end ofthe arm II is connectedas at 2| tooneendofapistonrodfl. Thispistonrodisconnectedtoapistonllre- -ciprocable in a cylinder 2l, and these elements constitute a shiftingmotor for effecting the longitudinalshiftingofoneoi'therods II, IIorII. Fluidpnssureisemployednsthesourceofpower for operating the shift motor, and pressures intheendsofthecylinderuaxecontroiled thrcughpipes2land2l,connectedtothere spective ends of the cylinder'2l.-'I1iese pipes mayasubstsntialdesreeofilexibilityto permit theswinglngmovementofthe cylinder 2l incidenttotheoperation of thearm Il,and any suitablemeansmay beemployedforsupporting the -cylinder 24 to permit it to partake of the movement referred to.

A novel crossover motor is employed for selectn ing either of the shift rods Il, I2 or I3 for operation, the crossover motor being shown in Figure 6 and indicated as a. whole by the numeral 21. The crossover motor comprises a central casing section 28 divided by a partition 29 to form chambers 38 and 3|, the latter of which is ventedI to the atmosphere asat 32. A second casing section 33 is arranged adjacent and in axial alinement with the section 28. These two casing sections are flanged at their adjacent ends to receive bolts 34 by means of which the two casing sections may be clamped toward each other with a flexible diaphragm 35 interposed therebetween. The casing section 33 forms a chamber 36 having a port 31 communicating with a` pipe 38 for a purpose to be described.

A third casing section 39 is arranged adjacent and in axial alinement with the casing section 28. These two casing sections likewise are flanged to receive bolts 48 to permit them to be clamped together with a diaphragm 4I interposed therebetween. The casing section 39 forms a chamber 42 vented to the atmosphere as at 43. The chamber 38 is provided with a port 44 communicating with a pipe 45. It will become apparent that the pipes 38 and 45 control communication between the respective chambers 36 and 38 with a source. of partial vacuum, the chambers 3| and 42 being always in communication with the atmosphere.

A shaft or stem 46 is slidable axially in the casing section 39 and is secured at its inner end to the diaphragm 4I. The outer end of the stem 46 is connected to the shaft I8 by a swival connection 41, such connection operating to transmit axial movement from the stem 46 to the shaft I8, while permitting the latter to rock incident to the turning movement of the crank arm I9. A compression spring 48 is arranged in the chamber 38 and engages at opposite ends with the partition 29 and diaphragm 4I. This spring tends to urge the stem 46 and shaft I8 toward the right as viewed in Figure 6 to engage the shift arm I1 in the notch I4.

A stem 49 is slidable in the wall 29 and the end of this stem within the chamber 3I is secured to the diaphragm 35. The other end of the stem 49 is engageable against the inner end of the stem 46. The stem 49 carries a flange 58 engageable against the wall 29 to limit the movement of the stem 49 toward the right to the position shown in Figure 6. In such position of the parts, the inner end of the stem 46 will contact with the adjacent end of the stem 49, with the shift arm I1 in engagement with the notch I5. A compression spring 5I is arranged in the cham- -ber 36 and urges the diaphragm 35 to its limit of movement referred to, with the fiange 58 engaging the wall 29.

A main valve mechanism indicated as a whole by the numeral 52 is adapted to control the connection of the intake manifold with the respective end s of the cylinder 24, and with the crossover motor chambers 38 and 36. Except for an additional valve, the main valve mechanism may'be identical with the valve mechanism shown in theA copending application of Edward D. Lasley, Serial No. 97,451, led August 22, 1936, and is `similar in its principles of operation to the valve mechanism disclosed in the prior patent to Edward G. Hill and Henry W. Hey No. 2,030,838..

granted February 1l, 1936.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the main valve mechanism 52 comprises a valve body 53 having .four openings 54 extending upwardly through the bottom thereof, and these openings terminate `at their upper ends in valve chambers indicated plug 65 threaded in the lassociated opening 54 and provided with an opening 66 therethrough. Each opening 54 is provided in its lower end with a perforated cap 61 and a perforated plate 68 is arranged in each opening 54, above the cap 61. Packing material 68 is arranged in the space between each plate 66 and its associated cap 61 to prevent the entrance of foreign material into the valve chambers.

The valve body is further provided with a plurality of relatively large vertically extending openings 18, 1I, 12 and 18 arranged in axial alinement and communicating at their lower ends with the respective valve chambers 55, 56, 51 and 58, communication between thevalve chambers and their associated openings being controlled by the valves, as will be apparent. A passage 14 extends longitudinally through the valve casing and intersects each of the openings 18, 1I, 12 and 13, as shown inrFigure 2. A union 15 is tapped into the end of the valve casing to communicate with the passage 14, and is connected to a pipe 16 leading to the intake manifold of the motor vehicle engine to provide a source of partial vacuum.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the respective valve chambers are connected to the atmosphere or to the intake manifold, depending upon the positions of the associated valves, and the valve chambers are connected to the shift motor and crossover motor to effect the operation of these motors. Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the valve chambers 51 and 58A are provided with ports 11 and 18 communicating with the respective pipes 26 and 25, previously described. Similarly, the valve chambers 55 and 56 are provided with ports 19 and 88 communicating with the respective pipes 38 and 45.

The upper face of the valve body'53 is provided with a plurality of vacuum chambers 8I communicating with the respective openings 18, 1I, 12 and 13, as shown in Figure 2. An elastic sheet 82 is arranged over the upper face of the valve body and closes each of the chambers 8I. A valve cap 83 is secured in position against the upper face of the elastic sheet 82 by screws 84 threaded in the top of the valve body. 'Ihe cap 83 is provided with a plurality of variable pressure chambers 85, 86, 81 and 88, corresponding in position to the several chambers 8l, and serving therewith to divide the elastic sheet 82 into a plurality of individual'diaphragms 89, 98, 9| and 92.

`The valve cap 83 is provided with a plurality of ports 93 by means of which communication is .afforded between the chambers 85, 86, 81 and 88 its associated diaphragm by means of a valve ais'mss -stem 00. and each of these valve stems is provided with a restricted passage ador-ding limited xed communication between the diaphragm chambers 00 and 00 and the source of vacuum.

through the passage 14 of the valve body. When the chambers 00 and 00 are disconnected from the atmosphere in a manner to be described. the leakage pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragms 00 and 00, under which 'conditions the valves 00 and 00 will remain in engagement with their upper valve seats. When the chambers 00 and 00 are opened to the atmosphere, as will be described, the valves referred to will move into engagemeiit with their lower valve seats 00.

The valves 8| and 02 are similarly controlled except that limited communication is a'orded between the diaphragm chambers 01 and 00 and the intake manifold only when the clutch of the vehicle is disengaged, these chambers communieating with the atmosphere when the clutch is in engagement. It will be .noted that each of the valves 0| and 02 is connected to its associated diaphragm by a stem |00 which is not provided with a leakage passage as is true in the case of the valve stems 00. However, the valve cap 00 is provided with a pair of restricted passages |0| and |02 connected to each otherat their upper ends and commi'. nicating at their lower ends with the' respective chambers 01 and 00. 'Ihe upper ends of the passages |0| and |02 communicate with a pipe |00 leading to a clutch valve mechanism indicated as a whole by the numeral |00 and illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

'I'he clutch valve mechanism comprises a tubular valve body |00 in which is arranged a valve |00 having heads |01 and |00 connected by a shank |00. 'I'he valve is connected by a link ||0 to the lower end of a depending arm carried by the clutch pedal ||2. When the clutch is in engagement, the parts occupy the solid line positions shown in Figure 5. under which conditions the space between the valve heads |01 and |00 communicates with the atmosphere through a port ||0. 'Ihe pipe |00 is connected to the valve casing |00 and also communicates with the space between the valve heads |01 and ,|00 when the clutch is in engagement. Under such conditions the pipe |00, and consequently the diaphragm chambers 01 and 00, communicate with the atmosphere through port ||0.

A pipe ||0 is connected at one end to the vacuum pipe 10 (Figure 1) and has its opposite end connected to the valve casing |00 and closed by the valve head |01 when the clutch is in engagement. It will be apparent that when -the clutch is disengaged, the port ||0 is closed to communithe head |01 uncovers the pipe IM to communication with the pipe |00. Under such conditions. the diaphragm chambers 01 and 00 will have limited communication with the source of vacuum lhepipesllandleadtoanauxiliaryvalve n deviceindicatedasawholebythcnumeral ||0 5 and01. Pipes ||0and illleadfrornthel'espec-v were" through the passages 00 balances thel cation with the pipe m by the head m, while' tive passages ||1 and ||0 to a selector valve mechanism to be referred to later.

The passages i|1 and ||0 are provided with ports 2| .and |22 respectively, which are adapted to be controlled by a slide valve carried by a plate |20. This plate is connected by a link |20 to any suitable portion of the mechanism which operates in conjunction with the actuation of the shift rods, the link |20 being illustrated in Figure l0 as being connected to the crank arm I0. When the gear set is in neutral position, that is, when the piston 20 is at the center of its stroke, the valve |20 closes both of the ports |2| and |22, and these ports are selectivelyopened at the end of the stroke of the piston 20, depending upon the direction of movement of the piston, as will become apparent.

The selector valve mechanism for the apparatus is shown in Figures 7 to 10 inclusive.

Such mechanism comprises a valve body |20l having a valve face 21 formed at one end thereof, and a pair of respectively upper and lower openings |20 and |20 extend through this valve face. As shown in Figure 8, the passages |20 and |20 communicate respectively with the pipes ||0 and |20'.l The valve bodyY |20 is further provided with a pair of openings |00 and |0|, lying ln'a horizontal plane and communicating with the respective pipes 00 and 00, as shown in Figure 10.

The valve body is provided with a central passage |02 for receiving the inner end of a shaft |00, this shaft being provided with a pair of spaced heads |04 and |00 connected by areduced shank |00. A valve |01 seats against the valve tace |21 and is shaped substantially as shown in Figure l. This valve is splined on the shaft |00 as at |01' to permit the shaft to slide axially while the valve |01 remains on its seat. and a compression spring |00 is arranged between the valve |01 and a iiange or collar |00 formed on the shaft |00. It will be apparent that the spring |00 urges the shaft |00 toward the right as viewed in Figures l, 7, 8 and l0 while maintaining the valve |01 on its seat.

The shaft |00 is provided with means to be described for limiting its movement toward the right to the position shown in Figure 10. When the shaft is in such position, the head |00 closes a passage |00, leading between the passages |0| and |02, and also closes an atmospheric passage |0| leading into the passage |02. At the same time, the valve head |00 serves to close a passage |02, connected between the passages |00 and |02, and also closes an atmospheric passage |00 having its inner end leading into the passage |02. The head |00 is connected to the body portion of the shaft |00 by a reduced shank |00. As will become apparent, the shaft |00 is adapted to partake of predetermined movement toward the left as viewed in Figure 10 to connect the passages |00 and lli through the space around the shank |00, while further movement of the shaft |00 to the left maintains connection betweenthpassages |00and |0| andalsoopens communication through the space around the shank |00. between the passages |02 and |00.

The shaft |00 is provided with a selector handie |00 arranged in a segmental housing |00 v and extending through the top thereof. lhe up.

per face of the segmental housing is provided with apair of parallel slots |01 and |00 connected by a transverse slot |00. As will become apparent,

Vthehandle |00 maybemoved forwardlyinthe slot |01, that is, upwardly as viewed in Figure 7,

toplacethegearsetinsecondspeedandrearwardly in the same slot for third speed. Similarly, the handle |45 may be moved through the slot |49 and rearwardly in the slot |48 tn place the gear set in first gear, the handle |45 being movable to the forward end of the slot |48 to place the gear set in reverse. A transverse slot |50 connects the slot |48 with a third slot |5| extending rearwardly from the transverse slot |50 and adapted to receive the handle |45 to place the gear set in fourth speed. The various positions of the handle |45 referred to are merely illustrations, and it will become apparent that the apparatus may be designed in accordance 'with the desires of a particular manufacturer.

The handle |45 may engage the right hand edge of the slot.|41 to prevent movement of the shaft |33 to the right of the position shown in Figure l0.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

It will become apparent that the gear set is in neutral whenever the selector handle is in the position shown in Figure '1, or in any posi'- tion in alignment with the transverse slots |49 and |50. Assuming that the vehicle is at a standstill and the operator is ready to proceed forwardly, he will depress the clutch pedal ||2 (Figure 5), then move the selector handle |45 to the left as viewed in Figure 7 to a position in alignment with ,the slot |48, and then rearwardly in 'such slot. In order that the operation of the apparatus may be more clearly followed, it is pointed out that the top of Figure '7 represents the forward end of the vehicle, while the perspective showing in Figure 1 is looking toward the forward end of the vehicle.

The movement of the selector handle |45 to the left into alignment with the slot |48 moves the shaft |33, while the head |34 (Figure l0) moves to the left to uncover the ports |40 and |4|, thus admitting air into the pipe 95. This action however, does not open the port |42 to the atmosphere, due to the length of the valve head |35. Thus air will be admitted into the diaphragm chamber 86 (Figure 2) and a differential pressure will be created on opposite sides of the diaphragm 90 to move the valve 60 downwardly into engagement with its lower valve seat 6 It will be apparent that the valve chamber 56 communicates with the vacuum passage 14, leading to the intake manifold through pipe 16. Downward movement of the valve 60, therefore, connects the valve chamber 56 to the source of vacuum, and this chamber communicates with the crossover motor chamber 30 (Figure 6) through pipe 45. Atmospheric pressure will be present in the motor chambers 3|, 36 and 42, and accordingly equalized pressure exists on opposite sides of the diaphragm 35, while differential pressure will act on the diaphragm 4| to move it from the dotted line position in Figure 6 to the solid line position.

This action takes place against the tension of the spring 48 and moves the shifting finger I1 from the notch |4 into the notch I5 to prepare the shift rod l2 for operation. When the diaphragm 4| reaches the position refered to, its movement is arrested by the stem 49, which is urged toward the right in Figure 6 by the spring 5|. 'Ihe differential pressure acting-on the diaphragm 4| is insufficient to overcome the tension of both of the springs 48 and 5|, and sliding movement of the shafts |8 and 48 will be arrested at the point indicated.

As previously stated. the action referred to prepares the shift rod-t2 for actuation. and such action takes place upon rearward movement of the selector handle |45 in the slot |48. As previously stated, the voperator will have depressed the clutch pedal ||2 before moving the selector handle |45. Prior to such operation of the clutch pedal, the valve |06 will have occupied the position shown in Figure 5 in which case the pipe |03 will be connected to the atmosphere through the port I3. It will be apparent, therefore, that atmospheric pressure will be present in the diphragm chambers 81 and 86 (Figure 2) and accordingly the valves 6| and 62 will be in engagement with their lower seats, the differential pressures on opposite sides of the diaphragms 9| and 92 moving these valves to lower positions.

However, upon depression of the clutch pedal prior to gear selection, the valve |06 (Figure 5) will move to the right from the position shown to close the port ||3 and .open communication between the pipe |03 and the vacuum pipe ||4. Accordingly air will be exhausted from the diaphragm chambers 81 and 88 (Figure 2) through the ports |0| and |02, thus equalizing pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragms 9| and 92, such pressure being that of the intake manifold. Under such conditions, atmospheric pressure, acting against the lower faces of the valves 6| and 62 moves these valves upwardly into engagement with their upper seats. Thus the depression of the clutch pedal prepares the valves 6| and 62 for operation in accordance with movement of the control handle |45. As stated, under the conditions being considered, the handle |45 is moved to the left of the position shown in Figure 1 until it is in alignment with the slot |48 and since first gear is now to be selected, the handle |45 is moved rearwardly in the slot |48 to the low gear position. The latter movement rocks the shaft |33 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Bgure l, thus opening the passage |28 (Figure 8) to the atmosphere and admitting air into the pipe ||9. This pipe is in constant communication with the pipe 96 through the valve passage ||1 (Figure 11) and accordingly atmospheric pressure will be admitted into the chamber 81. The rate of admission of air into this chamber of course will be greater than the rate of exhaustion of the air through the restricted passage |0|, and differential pressure thus will be built up on opposite sides of the diaphragm 9| to move this diaphragm and its valve 6| downwardly. This valve accordingly moves from its upper seat 63 to its lower seat 64, thus connecting the valve chamber 51 to the source of vacuum through passage The valve chamber 51 communicates through the pipe 26 (Figures l and 3)' with the lower or rear end of the cylinder 24, and accordingly such end of the cylinder will be connected to the source of vacuum. At the same time the forward end of the cylinder 24 will remain open to the atmosphere through pipe 25 and valve chamber 58, the

valve 62 being in its upper position as shown in Figure 2. Thus-the piston 23 will move rearwardly to rock the shaft |8 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure l, and the shift rod |2 will be moved rearwardly into first gear position.

During the operation referred to the diaphragm chamber 88 will remain closed to the atmosphere since the selector valve passage |29 (Figure 8) will be closed by the valve |31, While the port |22 (Figure 11) will be closed to the atmosphere by the slide valve |23. However, when the first gear position is reached; the .valve |23 will open the be closed to the atmosphere,

port |22, thus admitting air into the passage ||8, pipe 81 and diaphragm chamber 88. The valve 82 thus will move to its lower valve seat 84. due to the dinerential pressure created on opposite sides of the diaphragm 82 by the admission of air into the chamber 88. The valve chamber 58 thus will be connected to the source of differential pressure, and since this chamber is connected to the upper end of the cylinder 24 through pipe 28 (Figures 1 and 2) air will be exhausted from the forward end of the cylinder 24 to vacuum suspend" the piston 28 in its upper or forward position After the vehicle has been properly accelerated in rst gear,'the shift into second gear may be edected. The selection of second gear may be made prior to clutch disengagement, if desired, due to the functioning of the valve mechanism |04 (Figures 1 and 5). I'he exhaustion of air from the diaphragm chambers 81 and 88 is effected through the restricted passages |0| and |02, which communicate with the pipe |08 leading tothe valve casing |05. Whenever the clutch is in engagement, the valve |08 will occupy the solid line position shown in Figure 5, and accordingly the pipe |08 will communicate with the atmosphere through the port H8, thus maintaining air pressure in the chambers 81 and 88 and preventing the controlling of the valves 8| and 52 by the selector mechanism. In this connection it will be noted that the rocking of the valve |31 by the handle |45 controls the admission of air into the chambers 81 and 88. However, when the clutch is engaged, both chambers 81 and 88 will be positively maintained in communication with the atmosphere through vthe passages |0| and |02 by the valve |08. Hence, under such conditions, operation of the valve |31 by the handle |45 cannot affect the positions of the valves 8| and 82, both valves remaining in their lower positions. Upon disengagement of the clutch, however, the valve head |08 moves toward the right as viewed in Figure 5, to close communication between the pipe |08 and the atmosphere, the head |01 moving to the right to establish communication between the pipes |08 and ||4. As shown in Figure 1, the ,pipe ||4 is connected to the pipe 18 leading to the intake manifold. Accordingly it will be apparent that a partial vacuum can exist in the chambers 81 and 88 only when the vehicle clutch is disengaged, and the valves 8| and 82 are subject to manual control only during clutch disengagement. During clutch engagement. the maintenance of the valves 8| and 82 in their lower position -maintains the vacuum suspension of the piston 28 in any gear position. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the valve mechanism |04 renders the selector valve mechanism incapable of manual control unless and until the clutch is disengaged and accordingly preselection of gears may be made between any two gear positions which are respectively forward and rear positions of the selector handle |45.

Assuming that the shift is to be made into second gear the operator will move the selector handle |45 forwardly from the rear end of the slot |48, transversely' to the right through slot |48, and-then forwardly in the slot' |41. The movement of the handle |45 through the slot '|48 moves the shaft |88 axially to the position shown in Figure 10, under which conditions both of the passages and |8| will be closed to the atmosphere. Thus the chambers and 88 will exhausted from these chambers through the valve stem passages 88. Since the valve 58 will have been in the position shown in Figure 2 when the vehicle was in first gear, this valve will be unaffected by the operation referred to. However, the valve 80 will have been in its lower position in first gear, and the closing of the pipe 85 to the atmosphere, together with the exhaustion of air from the chamber 88, will move the valve 80 into engagement with its upper seat 88, thus connecting the valve chamber 55 to the atmosphere.

The crossover into the ilrst gear position will have been accomplished in the manner stated, by exhausting air from the chamber 80 to establish differential pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm 4| to move this diaphragm to the solid yline position shown in Figure 6. The return of the valve 80 to its upper position upon movement of the selector handle through the slot |48 will again connect the chamber 80 to the atmosphere through the pipe 45 and valve chamber 58, and accordingly atmospheric pressure will be present in ,all of the chambers of the crossover motor. The spring 48 is thus free to move the shaft |8 toward the right as viewed in Figure 6 to engage the shift arm |1 in the notch I4, thus preparing the shift rod for operation.

Upon movement of the selector handle |45 forwardly in the slot |41, the shaft |38 will be rocked in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 to cover the previously opened passage |28 and open the passage |28 to the atmosphere. It will be recalled that when the parts assumedthe low gear position, the port |22 (Figure l1) was opened to the atmosphere while the yport |2| was closed to the atmosphere. Under such conditions, therefore, the pipe |20 will be opened to the atmosphere both through the port |22 and through the selector valve port |28 when the selector handle is placed in second gear position. At the Same time, the pipe H8 will be closed to the atmosphere through the port |2| and also through the port |28.

The turning of the selector valve |81 therefore opens to the atmosphere the pipe |20 which is already opened to the atmosphere when the shift parts reach low gear position, and atmospheric pressure thus will be retained in the pipe 81 and diaphragm chamber 88, and thus the valve 82 will remain in its lower position connecting the valve chamber 58 to the source of vacuum. 'I'hus vacuum will be retained in the upper vend of the cylinder 24. Whereas the pipe I8 will have been opened to the atmosphere in the low gear position through the selector valve passage |28, this pipe will be closed to the atmosphere upon movement of the selector handle to the second gear position in the manner described. Accordingly the diaphragm chamber 81 will be closed to the atmosphere and air will be exhausted therefrom through the restricted passage |0| when the clutch is disengaged, which action connects the pipe |03 to the vacuum pipe I4. The diaphragm 8| will then move upwardly, and the valve 8| will move from its lower seat to its upper seat to connect the valve chamber 51 to the atmosphere.

The admission of atmospheric pressure into the lower end of the cylinder 24 obviously will effect movement of the piston 23 upwardly to rotate the shaft i8 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, the shift rod thus being moved forwardly to the second gear position.

When such position is reached, the slide valve |23 will uncover the port |2I, thus admitting air into the passage II1, pipe 86 and diaphragm chamber 81, whereupon the diaphragm 9| will move downwardly. Accordingly the valve 6I will be transferred from its upper seat to its lower seat, when second gear position is reached, thus connecting the lower end of the cylinder 24 to the intake manifold to vacuum suspend the piston in second gear position.

It will be apparent of course that the trans'- ferring of the shift arm |1 from the notch I5 to the notch I4 when shifting from rst to second gears can take place only after the shift rod I2 has been moved to neutral position to align the slots I4 and l5. It also will be apparent that in transferring the shift between any two shift rods, all-of the rods will be in neutral position before the crossover operation can take place.

The shift from second gear into third gear takes place in a manner which will be obvious from the foregoing description. The selector handle |45 will be moved to the rear end of the slot |41, and accordingly the crossover motor will not be affected, since there'will'be no sliding of the valve heads |34 and |35 (Figure 10). The

placing ofthe selector handle in the rear end of the slot |41 will control the main shift motor in the same manner as described in connection with theshift into first gear, the rotation of the valve |36 admitting air into the selector valve passage |28 and through pipe IIS, slide valve passage II1 and pipe 66, to the diaphragm chamber 81 to drop the valve 6I to its lowermost position and thus connect the lower end of the cylin-v der 24 to the intake manifold. Thus it will be apparent that forward movement of the selector handle in either of the slots |41 -or |48 will admit air into the lower end of the cylinder 24 and connect the upper end o f this cylinder to the source of vacuum. Y Conversely, movement of the selector handle |45 to the rear-end of either of the slots |41, |48 or |5| will admit air into the diaphragm chamber 81 to connect the lower end of the cylinder 24 to the source of vacuum while admitting atmospheric pressure into the upper end of the cylinder.

The foregoing operations generally coincide with the operations of the apparatus disclosedin the copending application of Edward D. Lasley Serial No. 97,451, filed August 22, 1936, referred to above. The present construction, however. provides novel means in the form of a unitary motor for effecting the transverse shift between more thantwo shift rods, thus rendering the dervice applicable to iive speed transmissions, such as those now commonly used on trucks and buses and on some types of passenger vehicles. The shift between the shift rods I I and I2 is set forth in the foregoing description, and it will be recalled that the shift to the notch I of the shift rod I2 is accomplished by connecting the crossover motor chamber 30 to the source of vacuum, the tension of the spring 5I arresting the movement of the shaft I8 in the position shown in Figure 6. In other words, while the differential pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm V4I is suilicient to compress the spring 48 to shift to the rst and reverse gear shift rod I2, such differential pressure is insuliicient to compress both of the springs 48 and 5i.v

When it is desired to s t into fourth gear,

the selector handle is moved through the transverseslots |43 and |58, and then rearwardly in the slot I5I. Sliding movement is transmitted to the selector valve shaft |33 to move this shaft toward the left as viewed in Figures 8, 9 and l0. Under such conditions, the valve heads |34 and |35 will be moved one step further than the position previously described when selecting the shift rod I2 for operation. In the first step of thesliding movement of the shaft |33, the valve head |34 (Figure 10) opens the passage |40 to the atmosphere through the port |4|. Due to the length of the valve head |35, the movement referred to does not move such valve head beyond the passage |42. The second step of the sliding movement of the shaft |33, however, moves the head |35 beyond the passage |42 to open communication between this passage and the port |43. The length of the shank |36 is such that the second step in the movement of the valve heads |34 and |35 will maintain communication between the passage '|40 and port |4I.

It will be apparent therefore that air will be admitted into both of the pipes 84 and 85, and accordingly into 'the diaphragm chambers 85 and 86, whereupon both of the valves 59 and 68 will be moved downwardly into engagement with their lower seats 64. Both of the valve chambers 55 and 56 thus will be closed to the atmosphere and opened to communication with the source of vacuum through-the passage 14. Since the pipes 38 and 45 communicate respectively with the valve chambers 55 and 56 and lead respectively to the crossover motor chambers 36 and 30, it will be apparent vthat both of the latter chambers will be connected to the source of vacuum. With both of the chambers 3| and 42 vented to the atmosphere, differential pressure will be es. tablished on opposite sides of both of the diaphragms 35 and 4I, and the total differential pressure thus established will vbe sufhcient to overcomeI the tension of both of the springs 48 and 5|. Thus the shafts 46 and' I8 will be moved one step to the left of the position shown in Figure 6, thus bringing the shift arm I1 into engagement with the notch I6 of the fourth speed shift rod I3,

Selection of the shift rod- I3 having been made in the manner stated, the rearward movement of the selector handle |45 in the slot I5I will open the selector valve passage |28 to the atmosphere, thus admitting air into the diaphragm chamber 81 in the manner previously described, whereupon the valve 6| will be moved to its lower seat to connect the lower end of the cylinder 24 to the source of vacuum. l The piston 23 will then move downwardly to rock the shaft I8 and effect the shift into fourth speed.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present construction provides a simple and effective mechanism for transferring a transmission shifting action between more than two shift rods, thus rendering the shifting apparatus particularly adapted for use with so-called fivespeed transmissions. Such selective crossover operations are effected by the use of a unitary motor 21, thestructure of which is quite simple, as will be apparent. This motor is effectively controlled by means of the valve mechanism described. Air is admitted into the' diaphragm chamber 86 to select the shift rod I2 for operation, while air is admitted into both of the diaphragm chambers rod I3 for operation. By returning the valve heads |34 and |35 to the position shown in Figure 10, both of the diaphragm chambers 85 and 86 will be disconnected from the atmosphere,

and 86 to 4select the shift tion of Edward D. Lasley, referred to above, two 1 forms of the, valve mechanism are illustrated. In one form of mechanism, a spring is employed for urging each of the main valves upwardly. In the other form of mechanism it is disclosed that these springsare not essential in order that the valves may be biased upwardly. 'I'he biasing springsm'ay be omitted for the reasons that the valvestems occupy part of the..ettective areas of the lower faces o'f the diaphragms, while atmospheric pressure is always present against the bottom faces of the valves. with reduced pressure -present above the valves. The total differential pressure affecting the main valves, therefore, biases these valves to their upper positions, and either valve is promptly moved to its lower position by the admission of air into the corresponding upper diaphragm chamber.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, sizeand arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit oi the invention or the scope of thesubjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A gear shifting mechanism for a. motor vehicle having a transmission provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinally shiftable members, comprising an operator selectively operable -for shitting either of said members, a motor including a movable element operable for selecting said members for actuation, means biasing said element in one direction to select one member for actuation, control means for eiiectin'g actuation of said motor to move said element in the opposite direction, means normally limiting the movement of said element in said last named direction to a position selecting a second member for actuation, means for rendering said limiting means inoperative torelease said element for movement by said motor to a third position selecting a third member for actuation, and means for operatingA .said operator to actuate the selected member.

2. In a .transmission having a plurality of members shiftable for changing the gear ratio of the transmission, a motor for selecting said members for actuation, said motor comprising an atmospheric chamber, a variable pressure chamber and a pressure movable member therebetween movable to a plurality of positions for selecting said shiftable members, means biasing said movable member in one direction to a position selecting one shiftable member for actuation, means for varying the pressure in said pressure chamber to effect movement of said movable member in the opposite direction, means normally limiting movement of said movable member in said last named direction to a second position selecting a second shiftable member for actuation, and means for rendering said limiting means inoperative to release said movable member for movement by said motor to another position selecting a third shiftable member for actuation.

3. In a transmission having a /plurality of members shiftable for changing the gear ratio of the transmission,v a motor for selecting said members for actuation, said motor comprising an atmospheric chamber, a variable pressure chamberiand a pressure movable member therebetween movable to a plurality of positions for selecting said shiftable members, means biasing said movable member in one direction to a position selecting one shiftable member for actuation, means for varying the pressure in said pressure chamber to effect movement of said movable member in the opposite direction, a spring nor-- mally operative for limiting movement of said movable member in said last named direction to a second position selecting a second member for actuation, and means operable against the tension of saidspring to release said movable member to movement by said motori'or another position selecting a third shiitable member for actuation.

4. In a transmission having aA plurality of members shiftable for changing the gear ratio of the transmission, a motor structure for selecting said members for actuation, said motor structure comprising a pair oi atmospheric chambers and a pair oi variable pressure chambers. a pair of pressure movable members each arranged between one atmospheric chamber and one pressure chamber, means biasing one movab'e member to a position selecting one shiftable member for actuation, means for varying the pressure in the corresponding pressure chamber to move said'last named movable member to a position selecting a second shiftable member for actuation, the other pressure movable member having limiting means tending to prevent movement oi' the iirst named movable member beyond its last named position, and means for changing the pressure in the other variable pressure. chamber for overcoming said limiting means to release the rst named pressure movable member for movement to another position selecting a third shiftable member for actuation.

5. In a transmission having a plurality oi' members shiftable for changing the gear ratio of a transmission, a motor structure for selecting said members for actuation, said motor structure comprising a casing having a` wall intermediate its ends to form a pair of motor sections each having an atmospheric chamber,'a variable pressure chamber and a pressure movable member therebetween, means biasing one movable member in one direction to select one shiftable member for actuation, means for varying the pressure in the corresponding pressure chamber to move vsaid last named movable member in the opposite direction, a stop member carried by the other movable member and projecting through said wall, means biasing said second named movable member in the iirst named direction to limit the movement of the iirst named movable member in the second named direction to a position selecting a second shiftable member for actuation, and means for rendering said last named biasing means inoperative, to move said stop member 'and thereby releasesaid first namedv movable member for movement in said second named direction to a position selecting a third shiftabe member for actuation.

6. A gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle having a transmission provided with a. plurality of longitudinally shiftable members, comprising a selectingmotor, an actuating element connected to the motor and selectively engageable with said members, means within said motor for normally moving said actuating element in one direction'into engagement with one 75 of said members, means for energizing said motor to move said actuating element in the opposite direction into engagement with another of said members, means tending to resist movement of said actuating member in said last named direction from its position engaging said last mentioned member, means for rendering said last named means inoperative whereby said motor wil move said actuating` element in the last named direction into engagement with another oi said members, and meansv for actuating the selected member.

7. A gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle having a transmission provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinally shiitable members, comprising an operator selectively operable for shifting either of said members, a motor including a movable element operable for selecting said members forv actuation, means biasing said element in one direction to select one member for actuation, control means for effecting actuation of said motor to move said element in the opposite direction, means normally limiting the movement of said element in said last named direction to aposition selecting a second member for actuation, uid pressure operated means for rendering said limiting means inoperative to release said element for movement by said motor to a third position selecting a third member for actuation, and means for operating said operator to actuate the selected member. l

' 8. In a transmission having a plurality o! members shiftable for changing the gear ratio o! the transmission, a motor for selecting said members i'or actuation, said motor comprising an atmospheric chamber, a variable pressure chamber and a pressure movable member therebetween movable to a plurality of positions for selecting said shiitable members, means biasing said movable member in one direction to a position selecting one shifting member for actuation, means for varying the pressure in said pressure chamber to effect movement o! said movable member in the opposite direction, means normally limiting movement, of said movable member in said last` named direction to a second position selecting a second shiftable member for actuation, and iiuid pressure operated means for rendering said limiting means inoperative to release said movable member for movement by said motor to another position selecting a third shitable member for actuation.

9. In a transmission having a plurality of members shiitable for changing the gear ratio of the transmission, a motor' for selecting said members for actuation, said motor comprising an atmospheric chamber, a variable pressure chamber and a pressure movable member therebetween movableto a plurality of positions for selecting said shiitable members, means biasing said movable member in one direction to a position selecting one shiftable member for actuation, means for varying the pressure in said pressure chamber to eiiect movement of said movable member in the opposite direction,- a spring normally operative for limiting movement of said movable member in said last named direction 'to a second position selecting a second member for actuation, and nuid pressure operated means for overcoming the tension of ,said spring to release said movable member for movement by said motor to another position selecting a third shiftable member'for actuation.

10. A gear shitting mechanism for a motor vehicle having a transmission provided with a member for actuation, control means for effecting' actuation of said motor to move said element in the opposite direction, a stop member axially movable with respect -to said motor, means norlmally holding said stop member in a position to limit movement oi said pressure movable member to a position with said element engaging a second shiftable member, and means for rendering said holding means ineiiective for holding said stop member in its normal'position whereby energization of said motor will move said element in said second named direction into engagement with a third shiftable member.

11. A gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle having a transmission provided with a plurality of longitudinally shiitable members, comprising a selecting motor having a pressure movable member, an axially movable stem connected thereto and a shiitable member engaging and actuating element, means biasing said element in one direction to select one shiftable member for actuation, control means for effecting actuation of said motor to move said element in the opposite direction, a stop member axially movable with respect to said motor, means normally holding said stop member in a position to limit movement of said pressure movable member to a position with said element engaging a second shiftable member, and means for rendering said holding means ineffective for holding 'said stop member in its normal position whereby energization of said motor will move said element in said sec- Nond named direction into engagement with a third shiiable member, said stem having a swivel connection between said element and said pressure movable member whereby said element is rockable to eiiect longitudinal movement of the .member, van v axially movable stem connected thereto and a shiftable member engaging and actuating element, means biasing said element in one direction to select one shiitable member for actuation, control means for eiecting actuation of said motor to move said element in the ppposite direction, a stop member axially movable with respect to said motor, means normally holding said stop member -in a position to limit movement of said pressure movable member to a position with said element engaging a second shiftable member, and a fluid pressure operated device operable for overcoming said holding means to iree said stop member from its normal position whereby energization of said motor to move said pressure responsivemember in the second named direction will eiiect movement of said element into engagement with a third shittable member.

13. A gear shitting mechanism for a motor vehicle having a transmission provided with a pluone direction to select one shiitable member tot n actuation, control means for effecting actuation of said motor to move said element in the opposite direction, a stop member axially movable with respect to said motor, means normally holding said stop member in a position to limit movement of said pressure movable member to a position with said element engaging a second shiftable member, and a fluid pressure operated device operable for overcoming said holding means to lo free said stop member from its normal position whereby energization of said motor to move said pressure responsive member in the second named direction will effect movement of said element into engagement with a third shiitable member,

said stem having a swivel connection between said element and said pressure movable member whereby said element is rockable to effect longitudinal movement of the shiftable member with which it is engaged.

VIRGIL F. SIMONICK. 

